Sony VAIO Memory Socket Repair



After repairing many vaio's for work and friends I am now able to repair your machine for you.

The memory socket fault can cause a variety of symptoms such as random crashing and the most common which is intermittent or no booting at all.
The machine can appear totally dead apart from one or more led's coming on when the power button is pressed.
Some machines can't even be turned off by pressing and holding the power button down for 5-6 seconds and they require the AC adapter and battery being removed.


How to identify faulty sockets



NOTE this procedure requires you to open up your laptop. If you are not confident to work on laptops do NOT attempt the following.
Never insert or remove a memory module with the machine turned on (it's safest to unplug the ac adapter and battery before inserting or removing the simms).
First ensure that you have a clean environment to work in. (I use a proper anti-static work bench with conductive bubble wrap to cushion the laptop, though a folded cotton towel will also do).

Touch an earthed appliance (or radiator) to discharge any static electricity that you may have. Next open up the memory cover underneath the laptop.

If you have two sockets and only one memory simm then first try moving it to the other memory slot and then try powering on.
If you have two then try removing each in turn to see if it will boot up with one of them. If the machine still doesn't boot up try swapping the memory modules over , then again try each in turn.
If you get the machine booting with any of the above tricks then you have one faulty socket. If it still doesn't boot then try the following.
With the machine placed on it's side with the screen open (90 degrees to the base unit) place one memory module in one of the slots and (gently) press the memory module in to the motherboard with a finger and try the power switch. Try this with each memory module in each of the two slots (4 tests).
If you get a boot with one or more configuration then resoldering the memory sockets will repair the machine.

I have had a combination of a faulty sockets AND a faulty memory module which took me some time to figure out.

I live near Peterborough in the U.K. and can even offer a while you wait (wife permitting..) repair service.
I can resolder the memory sockets on any laptop , from FPM/EDO through SDRAM to DDR and DDR2.

I use the latest Metcal 500MX soldering system to ensure reliable soldering repairs even on connector pins which are 0.4mm apart.

If you need your sockets repairing or if you have any other vaio queries then let me know. Bruce Benson